OFFICIAL FAREWELLS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 12

OFFICIAL FAREWELLS

GOVT. OFFICERS RETIRE after forty years op valuable SERVICE. MR E. Y. RiEDWARD. An interesting presentation took place in the old Cabinet room, Government Buildings, yesterday' afternoon, on the occasion of the retirement, 'after forty years of service, of Mr E. Redward, Grown Solicitor and Revising Barrister for Friendly Societies. There was a large attendance of officers from the various State Department, on behalf of the members of which Sir -brands Bell (Attorney-General and ActingPrime Minister) presented Mr Eedward with a handsome suitcase and travelling rug, alio with a set of stainless cutlery knives, fork,s, spoons, carving knife and fork, etc.—for Mrs Redward, and wath a silver mounted polished oak tray on bohalf of the Crown Law Office. SPLENDID SERVICE.

Mr Redward, said Sir Francis Bell, had a long and distinguished career aa a public servant. He passed the Junior Civil Service in November, 1884 —top of the list for his year. Amongst others who passed that year were Mr F. L. Severne (senior clerk, Education Department), Mr C. E. Nalder (Registrar-Gen-eral of 'Lands), the late Mr E. Pauling (District Lands Registrar at Napier), Mr R. E. Hayes (Assistant Secretary to Treasury) in the junior, and Mr D. G. Clark (Commissioner of Taxes), andi Mr H. S. Manning (Government Life Insnr ance) in the senior examination. Mr Redward left Wellington College in 1885 and was appointed a junior clerk in the Public AVorks Department on March Ist, 1885. He passed the senior civil service in 1886. When recommended for promotion in 1887 by Mr O'Connor, Under, Secretary, the comment was, “He is a very deserving and painstaking youth and likely to pTove very useful in the office." (Applause and laughter.) In March, 1888, he was relieving clerk in the Crown Law Offico, and was appointed clerk in May, 1888. He continued his legal studies, andi passed a 3 a barrister and solicitor in 1894, being admitted to the Bar in May, 1895. Though still ranking as a clerk, he was doing his full share of legal work. He was appointed assistant law officer on September 28th, 1907, and in 1916 the designation of the office was altered to Crown Solicitor. Since 1895 Mr RedwaVd had compiled and edited the valuable work known as reporting on the compilation of the statutes, the Commissioners stated of Mr Redward’s services: "We desire to express our appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Redward, 'assistant Crown law officer. He possesses sin accurate knowledge of the statutes, together with a special gift of method, and has served us With conspicuous ability and seal.” (Applause.) Ho was appointed revising barrister for friendly societies since 1910.

Sir Francis Bell added! that Mr Redward had carried out the important work of indexing the statutes without any remuneration; though, if he had at any time asked for it he (Sir Francis) thought that he should have got remuneration for it. In fact, when he had heard about it the other day he had asked Mr Redward why on earth he had not told hipa of it before. (Applause and laughter.)'' He was very pleased that Mr Redward had consented, after the holiday which he had so well earned, to accept one of the highest offices in the Parliamentary service, which also chanced to be under his (the Minister's) supervision ; and he hoped that for many years to come they would have the benefit of his knowledge and experience in that work. (Applause.) He had great pleasure in making to'Mr and Mrs Redward the presentations above mentioned. (Applause, cheers and “For he’s a Jolly Good Fellow”'.

Mr Redward briefly and feelingly, responded. When he joined the service in 1885, he said, the Government buildings housed! practically all the departments of State Railways, Customs,, Marine, Defence, etc.—except the Post Office and the Government Life Insurance Office; and he know nearly all the officers of those departments. But now the State departments were scattered over many different buildings, and he could not pretend to know all the officers. He seemed to be a cave-dweller in Government Buildings. (Laughter.) He did not tliinlc there was anybody else , who had hadl the forty years continuous

service in that one building that he had had. It would be a great wrench going out and severing his official connection with all of them; but he hoped it would not mean severing old friendship. (Applause.), On .behalf of Mrs Kedward and himself he' thanked them all for the presentations, and Sir Francis Bell for the very hind words he hadl said about him. He .would remember and appreciate that gathering all the years of his life. (Applause.) MR A. <l. A. ROBERTS P. AND T; SUPERINTENDENT. A pleasant function took place at the local telegraph office on Thursday afternoon, when members of the staff gathered to bid an official farewell to their superintendent. Mr A. J. A. Roberts, who, after forty years' service, is retiring on superannuation. Mr J. Gillespie (Senior Supervisor), in asking Mr Roberts's-acceptance of a gift from officers in the shape of a gold albert, set of gold sleeve links, and a magnifying glass as a token of the high esteem in which he was held, made reference to the excellent feeling which existed between officers and their chief, who could be assured that he had the good wishes of those who had served under his control. One and all joined in wishing Mr Roberts an extensive period of retirement, with which, he trusted, would be accompanied continued health and strength. Applause greeted Mr Roberts at the commencement of his address, which was delivered and accepted with much feeling. He referred to his close association with the Wellington telegraph office, and mentioned that in addition to this being the (own of his birth, it was in the local branch that he received his first appointment as cadet. Nineteen years ago he was appointed from this office to an executive position, and after serving some years in various branches of the service was finally promoted to the proud position of Superintendent of the office in which he commenced his official career 40 years previously. He assured officers that he would always think kindly of his association with members of the department, and expressed the hope that the same, friendly spirit and relationship between the stafi and his successor would continue as it had existed during his term of office. At the conclusion of his remarks, three hearty oheers were called for Mr Roberts, and the response amply signified the good feeling which accompanied them. Three more were heartily given for Mrs and Miss Roberts, who are accompanying the late popular officer on an extended tour through England and the Continent.